DISH is now accepting bitcoin because we are listening to customers and providing them with the choice and convenience they want

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DISH® accepted its first bitcoin payment today as the payment option is now available for all DISH customers through mydish.com. Today’s inaugural bitcoin transaction follows DISH’s recent announcement that DISH customers could pay their monthly bill with bitcoin starting in the third quarter.

Austin and Beccy Craig, the stars of a new documentary film “Life on Bitcoin,” were the first DISH customers to pay with the digital currency. The Craigs spent the first 101 days of their marriage paying exclusively with bitcoin. The documentary will soon be released chronicling their adventure and educating viewers about bitcoin.

“DISH is a leading example of how the world is becoming friendlier with new ways of buying products and services,” said Austin Craig. “When we shot our film last year, we struggled to watch TV or go to a movie paying with bitcoin. Now, a leader in TV technology is embracing this bitcoin movement from a tech-savvy crowd.”

“DISH is now accepting bitcoin because we are listening to customers and providing them with the choice and convenience they want,” said Bernie Han, DISH executive vice president and Chief Operating Officer. “When we announced that DISH customers could pay with bitcoin, we heard some enthusiastic feedback from bitcoin users. Starting today, they can choose bitcoin as a payment option for their monthly bill.”

As announced in May, DISH has selected Coinbase as the payment processor for bitcoin transactions with customers who choose to pay their bill online with the bitcoin wallet of their choice. DISH will use Coinbase’s Instant ExchangeTM feature to exchange bitcoin payments to U.S. dollars at the moment of the transaction.

The bitcoin payment option is now available for DISH customers choosing to make one-time payments on mydish.com. Customers will still have the option to make any payment online via credit card, debit card or bank account.

To view a video of Austin and Beccy Craig making the first bitcoin payment to DISH, visit bit.ly/dishbtcn.

About DISH

DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), through its subsidiaries, provides approximately 14.053 million pay-TV subscribers, as of June 30, 2014, with the highest quality programming and technology with the most choices at the best value. Subscribers enjoy a high definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels, and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network Corporation is a Fortune 250 company. Visit www.dish.com.

About “Life on Bitcoin”

“Life on Bitcoin,” soon to be released, is a documentary film following a newly married couple as they try to survive purchasing every living necessity only with the "cryptocurrency." Married less than two weeks and fresh off their honeymoon, Austin and Beccy Craig embark on an adventure to find out if it can be done. Visit lifeonbitcoin.com.